Electric signal for railway-trains



2Sheets-Sheqt 1.

Patented Oct. 13, 1891.

(No Model.)

L. DUNN. ELECTRIC SIGNAL FOR RAILWAY TRAINS.

In: mam ws'rsaa 00., PHOTO-LING, \usmxomn, n. c.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.) 1

, L DUNN ELECTRIC SIGNAL FOR RAILWAY TRAINS.

Patented Oct. 13, 1891 WITNESSES ms. mama Penna co., mmo-upum.vusmnnrun, u. c.

ilNITEn STATES PATENT QF ICE.

LAIVRENCE DUNN, OF FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL FOR RAILWAY-TRAINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 460,958, dated October13, 1891.

Application filed February 18, 1891. Serial No. 381,842. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LAWRENCE DUNN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Fort Smith, in the county of Sebastian and State ofArkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin ElectricTrain-Signaling Devices 3 and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to electric devices for signaling fromone part ofa railway-train to another, or particularly to the locomotive; it havingfor its object to supersede the bell and rope now in common use, andtoimprove and render more etlt'ective the electric trainsignalingsystems. It includes an electric metallic circuitextending through thetrain and operated by a suitable motor, (as a battery situated on thelocomotive,) and in which circuit is placed a signal-bell on thelocomotive, and push-buttons or equivalent devices for closing thecircuit, located at various convenient points throughout the train. Thewires in each car which form the metallic circuitterminate at eitherendof the car in springjacks whose normal tendency is to close the circuitat each end of the car. In order to unite the conducting-wires in twoadjacent cars, I make use of an electric coupling, consisting of twoinsulated wires terminating at each end in a plug adapted to be insertedinto the spring-jacks on the cars. These plugs are so constructed thatnormally the two con ductors are electrically connected at each end,thus closing the circuit at both ends of the coupling. When, however, aplug is inserted into one of the spring-jacks, such act causes theelectric connection between the opposite conductors in both the plug andthe jack to be broken, and there is established a continuous opencircuit from the car to the coupling, and from that to the next car, andso on, as far as the cars and couplings are united. At the rear end ofthe train I propose to use a dead or insulating plug ora switch in orderto keep the circuit open. These are the general features of myinvention, while the distinguishing or characteristic points ofinvention are the construction of the connectingplugs, of thespring-jacksinto which the plugs are inserted, the tubes through whichthe suspended wires carrying circuit-closing devices and arranged atconvenient places through the train pass and by which they areprotected, and the springsupports for the connecting or coupling wiresbetween the locomotive and the first car of the train.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein my invention is illustrated,Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of a railway-train having myelectric signaling devices applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a side view of theelectric coupling, the two plugs being turned so as to show theirappearance when seen from points at right angles to each other. Fig. 3is a central longitudinal. section of one of the plugs. Fig. t is anelevation of the spring-jack. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the same,one of the metallic side plates being moved back to better show theinterior construction of the jack. Fig. 0 is a section of the jack withthe plug inserted therein. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of the tubesurrounding the suspended wires in the cars carrying the push-button.

\Vithin each car of the train are arranged two insulated wires 1, whichform parts of a metallic circuit which, when properly connected, extendsthrough the entire train to the locomotive, where there is arranged asignal-bell 2 and a battery 3. Each wire 1 is connected at either endwith a spring-jack 4. These spring-jacks are duplicates of each other,and each consists of two plates 5, of brass or other suitable conductingmaterial, one wire 1' being connected with each plate by the screws 6 orin any other suitable manner.v The plates 5 are insulated from eachother, being secured to a block 7, of wood or other suitablenon-conducting material, upon opposite sides of a hole 8 through theblock and having between their outer or free ends a piece ofnon-conducting material 9. In order to connect the outer ends of the twoplates without uniting them electrically, I use the screw 10, whichpasses through a block of rubber 11, seated in an aperture in one of theplates and, passing through the non-conducting piece 9, screws into theopposite plate 5, and thus holds the two together.

The opposing sides of the two plates are recessed, as shown at 12 inFig; 5 and by the dotted lines in Fig. 4.

13 is a metal spring attached at one end to one of the side plates ofthe jack and adapted to bear against the opposite plate, as at 14, andthus, when in this its normal position,.es+ tablish a metallicconnection between the two plates of the jack. 15 15 are bosses orprojections on the inner faces of the sideplates of the jack, arrangedin the recesses 12. While I have shown one of these projections 15 onthe inner face of each plate 5, and prefer so to make the jack, yetasingle such projectionthat is, on one plate onlywould operatesuccessfully, but not to the same degree as do two. There is one ofthese jacks at each end of the car, arranged preferably on the innerside of the roof or hood which covers the platform, although thislocation is not essential. 7

The couplings which are used between the cars are shown in detail inFigs. 2 and 3. The plugs 16, which terminate these couplings, consisteach of a wooden handle 17, to one of whi'chare secured two brass plates18 18. The handle is hollow, and through the opening 20' therein passthe insulated wires 19-, each wire being connected to one of the plates18 in any suitable manner, as by being wound around one of the screws21', which fasten the plates to the, handle.

22,is a metallic spring secured to one of the plates 18'and'adapted,,when in its, normal posit ion,.to bear upon the opposite plate,and thus establish a metallic connection between them, and 23isah-ard-rubber projection or. tip secured to the spring nearits end andadapted to project through the opening 24 in thejplate 18. The end ofthe spring 23-,which is connected with the plate 18, is arrangedbetweensuch plate and the wooden handle 17,

these parts being held together by one at the 3 screws 21. An advantagewhich arises from this, mode of attaching the spring is that should itbecome broken it can be easil replaced by another, the only tool requirebeing a small screw-driverg and, further, this connection tends topreserve a good metallic contact, as the contacting faces of the plateand spring are wellprotected and covered,

and hence not liable to become separated by an accumulation of dust orby corrosion.

25 is a rubber band encircling the handle where the plates18 arefastened to it and serving to protect the plug from sleet and rain,whichmight cause the current to be sh'ort-circuited.

26 is a covering of rubber or other suitablemateri'alfor the insulatedwires 19'where they emerge from the handle 1'7, into the opening 20ofwhich the said covering extends for a short distance, serving to protectthem. from tion were no protection used and the wires allowed to rubagainst the hard material of the handle, as they sway by reason of themotion of thetrain.

27 is a strap or looped'handle by which the plug may be pulled out fromthe jack.

To unite the metallic circuits of two adjacent cars, the plugs areinserted into the jacks through the holes 8 until they occupy theposition shown in Fig. 6, with the bosses or projections 15 on theplates 5 projecting 3 through the openings 24 in the plates 18, whichserve to lock the plugs in place, and prevent their detachment by anyof-the ordinary mo- --tionsof the train. When in this position the iinetall-icplates:5and 18-, which are kept bright and smooth by slidingupon each other whenvthe plug is inserted and withdrawn, are in directcontactwith each other. By the act of j inserting the plug into the jackthespring is forced away by the plates. 18 from its con 1 tact at 14with the plate 5, and is caused to i lie in the recess-12in theotherplate, as shown gin Fig. 6, thus opening the circuit. at this jpoi'nt,and at the samev time, that is, when: the plug is. inserted into thejack, thebossor projection 15 bears upon the hardrubber Iprojection ortip 23, and forces the spring inward and out. of contact with themetallic 1 plates 18' on which it bore,so that the circuit, which beforewas closed atthis point, is here iopened also. It will thus be seen thatthe E mere coupling together of, the electric con- Eductors in thedifferent cars openstheci-rcuit ibetween them, and that when. they areuncoupled the circuitis automatically closediat each break therein,asthe springs both in the jacks and plugs. automatically return to:their ;normal position. From. this. it follows that lshoul'd the trainseparate, or one of the plugs gbe pulled out, the engineer will benotifi'edzot' I such fact by the ringing ofi the belli 2, which P willcontinue. so longas the circuit. remains. f closed.

At convenient points throughout the train: are arranged thepush-buttonsv 28,.by which the circuit may be intentionally closed and ithe bell in the locomotiverung. These-push.- buttons may be secured tothe inner side walls of the car and to its. ends above the j' platformsor suspended by the wires. 29, or 3 both arrangements may be used,.as'shown in Fig. 1.,

1 wires 29, which are preferably suspended: above the central aisle ofthe car, I propose to pass them. through a tube. 30,, which maybesecured to'a plate fastened to the top of the. car, as shown. inFig. 1. The lower end of the, tube is. made flaring to prevent wearingof the insulatingmaterialiof the wires29,

' but as a further protection Iprefertoem-ploy the encircling band 32 otrubber or like material which: surrounds the wires 29 where they emergefrom the tube.

Where the connecting-wires between the plugst are long, as the couplingbetweenthe locomotive-caband the baggage first car of In order toprevent undue swaying of the the train, they are apt to sway to anundesirable extent, and difficulty has been experienced in keepingtheplugs from being pulled out of the jacks, and in passing over thelocomotive-tender the wires 19 sag so low as to be in way of the firemanand engineer. To prevent this I hold up the wires 19 between the plugs16 by spring-supports, as shown in Fig. 1. As shown, these supportsconsist of coiled springs 33,which are each at one end secured to wires19 in any suitable way, as by wrap ping them around the wires, as at 3434:. At their other ends they are secured, respectively, to the firstcar of the train and to the cab by hooks 35. These spring-supports takeup the slack in the coupling-wires and hold them out of the way of thelocomotive attendants, as well as preventing them from excessive swayingand yet give the necessary elasticity to the coupling.

In order that the circuit throughout the whole train after it has beenmade up shall be normally open, I insert a dead-plug 36, Fig. 1, intothe jack at the rear end of the train, which merely serves to force backthe spring 13 out of contact at 14 with the plate 5, without at the sametime establishing any other circuit, as do the plugs 16.

Of course a switch of any kind at the rear of the train to open thecircuit could be used as well as the dead-plug.

IVithout limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement ofparts shown, what I claim is 1. In an electric signaling devicc,thehereindescribed spring-jack situated at the end of the metalliccircuitin a car and consisting of a perforated block of non-conductingmaterial, two metallic plates secured to such block on opposite sides ofthe perforation therein and having their ends connected together by aninsulating connection, and a short-circuiting spring adapted normally toform a metallic connection between the two plates of the jack,substantially as set forth.

2. The hereindescribed jack, consisting of the two plates to which theconductor-wires are secured, havingan inward-projecting boss, incombination with aconnecting or coupling plug adapted to be insertedinto the jack and having metallic plates which make contact with theplates of the plug, one of the plates described spring-jack, consistingof the perforated block of insulating material, the two metallic plates5, to which the circuit-wires are connected, one situated on each sideof the hole in the said block, each plate being recessed on its innerface and provided with a boss or projection 15,-the spring 13, and theinsulating connection uniting the outer ends of the plates,substantially as set forth.

5. In combination with an electric -conductor coupling for uniting twocars, consisting in part of flexible wire, an elastic support above theconductor and connected at its ends to the cars, so as to be undertension, and between its ends connected to the flexible wire of thecoupling.

G. In an electric train-signaling device, the combinatiomwith theelectric-conductor coupling for uniting two cars, and consisting in partof a flexible wire, of the spring-supports for the said wire, consistingof the coiled springs each connected with the wire between its ends atone end and with one of the cars, respectively, at the other end,substantially as set forth.

In testimonywhereof I afiix my signatu re in presence of two witnesses.

LAWRENCE DUNN.

\Vitnesses:

T. H. DUBoIs, G. S. WHYBARK.

